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5AR4 rectifier tubes - Chinese or Russian?

I'm needing to replace 2 - 5AR4 rectifier tubes in my Primaluna Prologue 3 preamp. Kevin at Upscale Audio has both the Sovtek and Shuguang tubes for $15 bucks each. The next step up is the Japanese tube at $45 each.

The tubes I'm replacing are original so I assume they are the Chinese model and I haven't tried rolling in any others. Should I stick with the Sovtek/Shuguang or step up to the Japanese or other tube replacements?

Eric
tubetan
racamuti's avatar
racamuti
362 posts
 
The JJ gz34=(5AR4)is a good new production tube. thetubestore.com has them for $15.00
rodman99999
6,206 posts
 
Your rectifier tube will have a marked effect on the overall sound of your unit. By going cheap there, you'll be ripping yourself off for a lot of music. If you went with a pair of NOS Mullards (GZ34/CV1377, from the Blackburn plant), they'd probably outlive your ownership of the unit, and would definitely improve the unit's presentation(compared to ANY new production tube).
dgordonl
128 posts
 
I use the Japanese tubes which Kevin Deal carries.Two in my Prologue 8 CDP .And one in my SLP-05 Cary Pre amp power supply...Great bang for the buck..You won't be disappointed.
tubeo
72 posts
 
I agree with Rodman99999 .

I have Mullard 5AR4/GZ34 Tubes [ Amperex - Holland are nice also and fall into the same Class ] that were well used when I bought them and have been in service for 7+ years in my System . They still Test as New and will probably outlast me .

If you can find NOS - NIB great , but you will pay big time for them . I suggest buying New Testing Used for $25-$35 . They DO have a better sound than the New Production Tubes that I have tried and have a much longer life-span .
jax2
3,031 posts
 
A third knod to Mullard / Blackburn NOS. Expensive, but worth it and will likely last long. Buy from a reputable seller, like Upscale, Vintage or The Tube Store. A rebranded Mullard should be $75-85/tube last time I checked and could be branded as Amperex, RCA, GE or some other companies that had Mullard make their tubes. Mullard branded tubes (labeled "Mullard") will run more expensive so I'd look for the rebranded ones from a reliable seller. Same tube with a different label. Best versions of the 5AR4 are actually metal-based versions but those will cost your first-born, and I'm not sure are worth the added premium (I guess that depends on how much you love your child). If you'd prefer to hang onto your heir apparent you could seek out an NOS 22S22C substitute, for which your soul may be adequate payment. Worth it for the extra bottom end resolution and bragging rights.
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